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Mark_Darlington Occasional Visitor
Joined: Nov 29, 2005 Posts: 7
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:46 pm Post subject: Why do they use GPRS instead of FM aerial for traffic? |
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Hi everyone,
Now i know that tomtom use the ITIS service to provide their traffic information, and that the data is broadcast on the FM radio frequency, I wondered why tomtom chose to stream this data to the GO units via GPRS rather than build in a suitable FM aerial.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Mark |
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JimmyTheHand Frequent Visitor
Joined: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 386
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Why do they use GPRS instead of FM aerial for traffic? |
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Mark_Darlington wrote: | Hi everyone,
Now i know that tomtom use the ITIS service to provide their traffic information, and that the data is broadcast on the FM radio frequency, I wondered why tomtom chose to stream this data to the GO units via GPRS rather than build in a suitable FM aerial.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Mark |
They can charge you a monthly fee if you have to connect to their servers - if it picked up FM then someone would find a way of enabling it for free if they tried charging. _________________ J. |
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fwor Occasional Visitor
Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:12 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I wondered why tomtom chose to stream this data to the GO units via GPRS rather than build in a suitable FM aerial. |
I'm just guessing, but isn't it because FM is broadcast only whereas GPRS is two-way, so the traffic server can be told where you are and just send traffic data relevant to your location/route? |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:59 am Post subject: |
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FM is by definition fairly short range (local radio size) that's why national radio is on a range of frequencies with a whole network of transmitter sites to service it.
I can't imagine any company like TomTom being able to even imagine the investment required to produce the infrastructure to achieve national coverage, let alone the legislation required. |
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TazUk Regular Visitor
Joined: Jun 03, 2005 Posts: 130 Location: Kent, UK
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:37 am Post subject: |
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Ah but the TMC data is already being trasmitted by radio stations across Europe, in the UK it's done by Classic FM ;) |
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MarkHewitt Frequent Visitor
Joined: Nov 16, 2004 Posts: 1077 Location: Chester-le-Street & York
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:59 am Post subject: |
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TazUk wrote: | Ah but the TMC data is already being trasmitted by radio stations across Europe, in the UK it's done by Classic FM ;) |
Trouble is how does the FM data get into your GO/PocketPC/Phone. Unless you can somehow connect it to your car aerial it would be difficult. And most people don't want to start messing with the wiring in their car. |
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Shuntis Occasional Visitor
Joined: Dec 05, 2005 Posts: 5
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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To be honest, TomTom could have easily fitted an FM aerial in the unit and it would pick up the info. Traffic Master systems are already utilised in many cars as it is... i personally can't see why it couldn't be done... i just know that it won't be.
I would love to take advantage of the traffic information, but my contract doesn't support GPRS and I don't intend to change my contract (cos its so cheap for what I get) just to get traffic and weather reports... AND pay for them... |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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TazUk wrote: | Ah but the TMC data is already being trasmitted by radio stations across Europe, in the UK it's done by Classic FM ;) |
Apologies for talking out of my ar*e! |
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Eldar Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 1294 Location: London
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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Shuntis wrote: | To be honest, TomTom could have easily fitted an FM aerial in the unit and it would pick up the info.. |
How big would that antenna be I wonder? Do you have any experience of designing FM RDS-TMC radios? |
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Almahadeus Frequent Visitor
Joined: Aug 06, 2005 Posts: 346
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject: FM Receiver |
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Isn't this what Garmin is already doing with their c340. Here is the quote from their website:
"Notification of traffic delays is a c340 option that lets drivers see congested areas via a color-coded map. This feature lets users avoid traffic by simply pushing a button that will calculate a new route. This traffic awareness is made possible via the new Garmin GTM 10™ FM TMC receiver that connects to selected Garmin street navigation products. The GTM 10 receives digital data from specific FM broadcast stations in select major metro areas throughout the United States and Europe."
and here is the website:
http://www.garmin.com/products/sp340/
It seems that it is actually quite possible to do. |
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Eldar Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 1294 Location: London
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: FM Receiver |
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Almahadeus wrote: |
It seems that it is actually quite possible to do. |
It's not a question of being possible or impossible, wireless internet connection is a much neater, flexible and cheaper solution than FM RDS-TMC. |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Shuntis wrote: | To be honest, TomTom could have easily fitted an FM aerial in the unit and it would pick up the info. Traffic Master systems are already utilised in many cars as it is... i personally can't see why it couldn't be done... i just know that it won't be. |
TrafficMaster uses the pager network not FM so the two systems cannot be compared. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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remus Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jun 23, 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Kent,England
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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The new AA Sat Nav uses Real-time Traffic Data broadcast by ITIS over Classic FM in the UK
To find out more have a look at this page
http://www.aanavigator.co.uk/shop/product.asp?id=58
should answer most questions
Kevin. |
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Shuntis Occasional Visitor
Joined: Dec 05, 2005 Posts: 5
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:52 am Post subject: |
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Darren wrote: |
TrafficMaster uses the pager network not FM so the two systems cannot be compared. |
It doesn't matter, the fact is the the technology is already there and its possible to utilise it. The fact that is hasn't been used to me shows just another way of leeching money out of you. Most likley, TomTom get their traffic information from the same source anyway. |
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Eldar Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Sep 24, 2004 Posts: 1294 Location: London
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Shuntis wrote: | Darren wrote: |
TrafficMaster uses the pager network not FM so the two systems cannot be compared. |
It doesn't matter, the fact is the the technology is already there and its possible to utilise it. The fact that is hasn't been used to me shows just another way of leeching money out of you. . |
You are quite right, it's absolutely outrageous that TomTom didn't use atomic clock technology in their GPS receiver. If they did we would be able to get the fix faster. But they just want us to look at the screen for longer, while sending us subliminal messages "buy tomtom....buy tomtom...." in every 33rd frame. |
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